Free family guide · Healthy pregnancy

Fish during pregnancy

The FDA advises 2 to 3 servings a week (4 ounces each) from its Best Choices list, or 1 serving a week from its Good Choices list.[1]

Last reviewed: Next review: No outside ads and no affiliate links.

Sources on this page: FDA; ACOG; FoodSafety.gov

This page shares what health organizations say. It is not medical advice. It is general information. Talk to your doctor, midwife or pediatrician about your own situation.

In an emergency, call 911.

How much

The FDA advises 2 to 3 servings a week (4 ounces each) from its Best Choices list, or 1 serving a week from its Good Choices list.[1]

ACOG also advises 2 or 3 servings of fish (4 ounces each) a week.[2]

Best choices

The FDA's Best Choices include salmon, sardines, shrimp, cod, tilapia and canned light tuna.[1]

Fish to avoid

Sources differ

The FDA and ACOG give the same list to avoid, and ACOG adds a limit on albacore tuna:[1][2]

  • The FDA says to avoid king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, bigeye tuna and tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico.[1]
  • ACOG lists the same fish and says to limit white (albacore) tuna to 6 ounces a week.[2]

ACOG says to avoid raw fish and shellfish, including sushi.[2] FoodSafety.gov says to avoid refrigerated smoked seafood unless it is cooked.[3]

Questions families ask

Can I eat shrimp while pregnant?

The FDA lists shrimp among its Best Choices.[1] ACOG says to avoid raw shellfish.[2]

Can I eat tuna?

The FDA lists canned light tuna among its Best Choices and says to avoid bigeye tuna.[1] ACOG says to limit white (albacore) tuna to 6 ounces a week.[2]

Free from UpOnly Learning. Written for families of every faith. No outside ads and no affiliate links. Every fact on this page comes from the sources listed below. How we source and review these pages

Updated 2026-10-24: first published.

Sources

All sources were opened and checked on the date shown.

  1. US Food and Drug Administration. Advice about Eating Fish. Checked October 24, 2026.
  2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Healthy Eating During Pregnancy. Checked October 24, 2026.
  3. FoodSafety.gov (HHS, USDA, FDA). People at Risk: Pregnant Women. Checked October 24, 2026.